SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT

OF 2000
-and-
LGBT RIGHTS
By: Elaine F. Fallarcuna
SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT
OF 2000
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND
PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR
CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE AND OTHER PURPOSES.
SOLO PARENT
Is any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even
without a final conviction of the offender. Provided, that the mother keeps and
raises the child;

Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood..
a. Due to death of spouse;
b. While the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for
at least one (1) year;
c. Due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public
medical practitioner;
SOLO PARENT
Is any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

d. Due to legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least one (1)
year, as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

e. Due to declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or
by a church as long as he/she is entrusted with the custody of the children;

f. Due to abandonment of spouse for at least one (1) year;

SOLO PARENT
Is any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

Unmarried mother/father who has preferred to keep her/his child/children instead
of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution;
Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or
children; provided he/she is duly licensed as a foster parent by the DSWD or duly
appointed legal guardian by the court;

Any family member who assume the responsibility of head of the family as result
of death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo
parent.

Single parents are entitled to assistance under Republic Act 8972 or the Solo
Parents Welfare Act of 2000. The DSWD is the lead agency implementing the law
in coordination with the following departments:
1. Department of Health
2. Department of Education
3. Department of Finance
4. National Housing Authority
5. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000: RIGHTS
The programs for solo parents include:
1. trainings on livelihood skills and basic business management,
2. scholarships in basic, tertiary and technical/skills education and non-
formal education,
3. low-cost housing projects, and
4. medical assistance, among others.

The DSWD and its partner-agencies also provide critical incident stress
debriefing (CISD) designed to assist solo parents cope with crisis situations
and cases of abuse.

SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000: RIGHTS
Solo parents in crisis situations are entitled to:
1. temporary shelter,
2. counseling,
3. legal assistance,
4. medical care,
5. self-concept or ego building, and
6. spiritual enrichment.

Privileges enjoyed by solo parents under RA 8972 are
1. flexible work schedule,
2. protection against work discrimination, and
3. seven-day parental leave.

SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000: RIGHTS
Senate Bill No. 1439 entitled "Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2010", filed by
Senator Loren Legarda, seeks the following support and benefits for solo
parents:
1. Ten percent (10%) discount from all purchases of clothing and clothing
materials for the child from birth up to two years;
2. Fifteen (15%) discount from all purchases of baby's milk, food and food
supplements;
3. Fifteen (15%) percent discount from all purchases of medicines and other
medical supplements/supplies for the child; and
4. Basic personal exemption from individual income tax.

SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000: UPDATES
There is a need to amend Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the Solo
Parents' Welfare Act:

a. to address the financial concerns of solo parents amidst the economic
difficulties that the country is experiencing;

b. to help lessen the financial burden carried by solo parents by affording
them additional remuneration to be able to provide a better future for their
children.
SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000: MY STAND

L.G.B.T.
RIGHTS
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE MY PRIDE.
- The Amnesty Movement

I. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and along
with heterosexual they describe people's sexual orientation or gender
identity.

II. LGBT in the Philippine context:
1. Distinctive culture
2. Limited legal rights
3. Widespread discrimination
Ex. Ladlad Political Party
L.G.B.T. RIGHTS
L.G.B.T. RIGHTS

The 1987 Constitution declares that the State values the dignity of
every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights
(Article 2, Section 11, 1987 Constitution).

It also imposes on the State the duty to ensure the fundamental
equality before the law of women and men.
(Article2, Section 14, 1987 Constitution)
L.G.B.T. RIGHTS

1. Lesbian : A woman whose sexual orientation is to women.

2. Gay: A man whose sexual orientation is to men.

3. Bisexual: romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior toward
males and females.

4. Transgender: is a general term applied to a variety of individuals,
behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally
conventional gender roles.

Right to equality
(UDHR Articles 1 & 2)

Right to security of the person
(Article 3 UDHR & Article 20 ICCPR)

Right to equality and non-discrimination (Article 26 ICCPR &
Article 7 ICESCR)


L.G.B.T. RIGHTS

Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and
Protection from Medical Abuses
(Article 12 ICESC)

Rights to Recognition before the Law (Article 16 & 17.
ICCPR)

Rights to family (Article 23 and 24. ICCPR,

L.G.B.T. RIGHTS

Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health and
Protection from Medical Abuses
(Article 12 ICESC)

Rights to Recognition before the Law (Article 16 & 17.
ICCPR)

Rights to Family
(Article 23 and 24. ICCPR)

L.G.B.T. RIGHTS